News Digest: 7-judge bench turned into a 5-judge one in 10 minutes

7-judge bench turned into a 5-judge one in 10 minutes
High drama that started unfolding in the Supreme Court on Wednesday peaked on Thursday when a two-judge bench exceeded its jurisdiction to order listing of a petition on alleged judge-middleman nexus before a five-judge bench, before climaxing on Friday as a hurriedly assembled five-judge bench quashed the two-judge bench's order and asserted the CJI's supremacy in assigning petitions to benches.

Security concerns ground President's daughter
Security considerations have prevented President Ram Nath Kovind's daughter Swati from resuming work as air hostess on Air India's Boeing 777 and 787 planes that fly long haul routes to Europe, America, Australia and the far east.

Nod for rural water plan revamp
In its bid to see that state governments implement the rural drinking water supply programme with greater focus on "sustainability and functionality", the Cabinet on Friday approved the restructuring of National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP).

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Hotels, restaurants apex body welcomes GST rate change
Welcoming the move by the council, the apex industry body said it had sought bringing down GST rate on restaurants to 12 per cent with input tax credit or at 5 per cent without input tax credit.

GST rate on mass consumption items cut to 18% from highest slab of 28%
The all-powerful council pruned the list of items attracting the top 28 per cent tax rate to just 50 from 227 previously, Modi told reporters here. In effect, the council, in its 23rd meet today, cut rates on 178 goods.

Markets finish with moderate gains; SBI, Hindustan Unilever major gainers

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EU to play down divide between rich and developing nations
Developing countries, including India and China, on Thursday appealed the rich nations to ratify the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (2013-2020), guiding their climate action for next three years, by June 2018 to build trust and confidence in the multilateral process.

Air-pollution-causes-weak-bones,-fractures
If you are living in areas of high pollution, you are more likely to have bone fractures from osteoporosis, according to a study. The study was performed by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.

Developing countries for June 2018 deadline to ratify Kyoto Protocol-II
Developing countries including India have asked the rich nations to ratify the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (2013-2020), guiding their climate action for next three years, by June 2018 to build trust and confidence in the multilateral process.

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French former culture minister becomes new UNESCO head
UNESCO member states today overwhelmingly approved the nomination of France's former culture minister Audrey Azoulay to head the embattled cultural agency. They confirmed the nomination by the agency's board last month of Azoulay, 45, who becomes UNESCO's second woman director general.

Safe in a camp, Rohingya children face death by malnutrition
UNICEF estimates that 25,000 children in the overcrowded Rohingya camps are suffering from severe malnutrition that could easily become a killer. More than half of the huge influx into refugee camps are children. Some have died there, but the UN said it had no information on whether malnutrition was a cause.

Pak's religious parties announce revival of MMA
Six mainstream religious parties of Pakistan have decided to revive Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), a decade after the political alliance was dissolved over differences.

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Pic: Shahid spotted with wife Mira, Misha
The actor is often spotted with his wife and daughter and even shares pictures on social media for his fans. Now another picture has surfaced of the happy family.

Esha Gupta looks smoking hot in a red bikini and denim jacket
In her recent ultra sensual picture, Esha can be seen posing in a red bikini and a roughly worn denim jacket.

Deepika Padukone seeks Lord Venkateswara's blessings at Tirupati Balaji temple with Farah Khan and Dinesh Vijan
Actress Deepika Padukone, whose upcoming film 'Padmavati', has been plagued by controversies before its release, was spotted at the Tirupati Balaji temple in Tirumala to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara.

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Get a glimpse of Jupiter's stunning southern hemisphere
The colour-enhanced view captures one of the white ovals in the "String of Pearls," one of eight massive rotating storms at 40 degrees south latitude on the gas giant planet, NASA said.

Uber joins forces with NASA to develop flying taxis
"Uber's participation in NASA's UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) Project will help the company's goal of starting demonstration flights of uberAIR in select US cities by 2020," the ride-sharing company said in a statement.

One lakh Indians book ticket for Mars
Around 1,38,899, people from India are Mars-bound. They have 'booked' a flight to the Red Planet via Nasa's InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) mission slated for launch on May 5, 2018.

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Srikanth's World No. 1 dream suffers a blow, pulls out of China Open
Non-stop badminton has taken its toll on Kidambi Srikanth as the world No.2 has pulled out of the China Open Super Series Premier beginning in Fuzhou on November 14.

Hardik Pandya rested for Sri Lanka Test series
Hardik Pandya has been withdrawn from India's squad for the first two Tests against Sri Lanka to manage the all-rounder's heavy workload, the country's cricket board (BCCI) said on Friday.

Nadal can't guarantee fitness for ATP Finals
Rafael Nadal said on Friday he "hopes" to be ready for his opening match at the ATP Finals but admitted he has not been training at 100 per cent after an injury scare.

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9 smartphones available on discount on Flipkart
If you are waiting to buy a new smartphone then this is the right time. Indian e-commerce major Flipkart is organising Smartphone Bonanza days from November 9 to November 11.

Gionee M7 Power smartphone with bezel-less display to launch in India on November 15
Chinese smartphone maker Gionee is all set to launch its first bezel-less smartphone in India. The company has started sending out media invites for the launch event on November 15, where it will unveil the Gionee M7 Power smartphone.

Apple iPhone sales in India jump: 8 things to know

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Union Cabinet approves creation of National Testing Agency
Establishment of NTA will benefit about 40 lakh students appearing in various entrance examinations. It will relieve the CBSE, AICTE and other agencies from responsibility of conducting these entrance examinations, and also bring in high reliability.

Tata Memorial launches online oncology tutorial to train doctors
Tata Memorial Centre is launching an online oncology tutorial series to train doctors across the country on early detection, prevention and basics of treatment. The online course is being developed in association with digital partner, Omnicuris.

India inks $119 million loan pact with World Bank for Odisha's education scheme
India signed a loan agreement with World Bank to improve the quality of students' access to selected institutions. The agreement for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development loan equivalent to $119 million is for Odisha Higher Education Programme for Excellence and Equity Project.

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HC raps BMC for letting housing soc 'take over' South Bombay open space

Disgruntled farmer tries to kill himself at Mantralaya

Maharashtra likely to get 62 new health institutes soon

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Nigerian national, Bathinda resident arrested with heroin from Delhi

NGT to decide odd-even fate today, raps government on move
The National Green Tribunal rapped the Delhi government on Friday for going ahead with odd-even traffic restrictions at a time the air quality appeared to be improving, and said it could 'stay' the scheme during a special hearing on Saturday if the government failed to prove that the restrictions were effective.

Pollution causing arthritis to flare up, 20% rise in patients at hospitals

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Only 27 potholes left on major roads: BBMP
Only 27 potholes are yet to be filled on major roads — spanning 1,400km — across the city, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has claimed. After having missed the fifth deadline to repair roads, the Palike on Friday said it has filled 99.56% of the potholes on major roads.

Man arrested for stalking women
A 32-year-old man was arrested in Kumaraswamy Layout, south Bengaluru, early this week for allegedly harassing women near Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering.

Rowdies will be booked under Goonda Act
Home minister Ramalinga Reddy on Friday said in order to crack down on rowdy elements, the government has decided to book habitual offenders under the Goonda Act.

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India's next gen filmmakers under the spotlight

Meet Hyderabad's 13-year-old director who shoots with a tablet

This 14-year-old Adilabad girl's film on caste discrimination selected for ICFFI

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School kids must have lessons on disability: HC
The Madras high court has directed the state government to include lessons on disabilities and the rights of those with disabilities in the school syllabus.

CBI opposes Dayanidhi Marans' plea in telephone exchange case

Airport to crack down on 'VIP culture' in terminals

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Congress talks of new quota under Article 31, 38 (2)

Ellisbridge theft: Rs 6 lakh gone in 90 minutes

Count VVPAT slips at all booths: PIL

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Railway employee masterminds cable thefts
RPF Naini have arrested a railway gangman identified as Ganesha Kumar and two of his accomplices from Jigna on the charges of cutting and stealing of signaling cable.

Bhoomi Pujan for reserve police lines held
A bhoomi poojan for reserve police lines on the Magh Mela campus was held here on Friday.

Jungle Dost: A 'friendly' way to learn about environment

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Bhubaneswar vehicle buyers in a tizzy as vehicle registration gets delayed due to update of software
Registration of around 2000 vehicles was pending in city because the regional transport office (RTO) updated latest software Vaahan-4.

Six new dengue cases detected in Bhubaneswar
It seems the dengue virus is not in a mood to spare the people of Salia Sahi in the city.

Odisha govt asked to award Rs 50K interim compensation to Kunduli 'rape' survivor
The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Thursday asked the state government to provide interim compensation of Rs 50,000 to the Kunduli ‘rape’ survivor by November 27.

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MP BJP opens 'war room' for 2018 polls
BJP on Friday opened its election war room at the state party headquarters here on Friday, months ahead of its campaign for the 2018 assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh.

Bhopal gangrape: HC takes suo motu note on 'junked' medical report
The Madhya Pradesh HC has issued notices to state chief secretary and DGP over 'junked' medical report in the case. The medical report says sexual act was committed "with her consent and will". The UPSC aspirant was raped by four men for three hours taking tea breaks in between.

Boy commits suicide after pothole claims father's life

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In Himachal Pradesh, women on top again

Snow spoiler expected, voting machines flown out of Lahaul

Widow blames police, names Chautala aide as mastermind

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